Ill treatment at Udon Immigration

[douglas]

Hi,
People have said they got their Non-Imm. "O" visa in LOS, ie BKK one person said. A non "O" visa, for LOS, cannot be issued in LOS. Thailand Police Immigration form, under no. 2. about getting a NON-IMMIGRANT "O" visa. Quote (This visa can only be obtained from a Thai Embassy or consulate, outside the Kingdom of Thailand) end of quote.
Anyone that has got a "O" visa, which was issued in LOS, if they would post it on this forum, i will take of my hat and touch my forlock, and say sorry sir. And i do not mean an extention, or, permission to stay, to a visa.
Cheers

[BobHelm]

Hi,
People have said they got their Non-Imm. "O" visa in LOS, ie BKK one person said. A non "O" visa, for LOS, cannot be issued in LOS.

I have just completely re-read this thread (not trusting to memory) & nowhere I have managed to see anyone claiming this.

I have read, in different threads, where people have claimed to have had 'Visa Exemption Stamps' or 'Tourist' Visas converted to Non Imm o visas within country at Bangkok Immigration Office. I cannot confirm or deny that this is possible as I have never personally attempted it.
I cannot recall anyone every saying that Visas (of ANY description) are obtainable within Thailand. They are not - the same as the situation most countries.
However, the Immigration Officers do have considerable discretion when dealing with customers, especially in 'grey' & infrequently occurring situations.

[LilRed]

BH:

My first and second retirement visas were issued here at the Udon office. Thus, I am confused regarding ur statement, "I cannot recall anyone every saying that Visas (of ANY description) are obtainable within Thailand. They are not - the same as the situation most countries."

I was surprised the first time around in early 2010. I had gone to the office for a 60 day extension to my Non "O" visa. The officer, asked me to return the following week with the retirement visa documentation and issued me a 2 week extension. I returned, the retirement visa was issued on the spot... This year, I missed my last 90 day report (by 6 weeks!). The same officer, issued me a 30 day extension to my retirement visa and had me bring in this year's documentation. Again, a new retirement visa was then issued on the spot (for 2011/12)...

I was surprised and asked if I didn't have to leave the country. She explained, that for legitimate retirees, retiement visas could be issued annually without having to leave LOS; that as long as I met the retirement visa and reporting requirements, I could remain in Thailand and just get a new retirement visa every year there at the office...

Am I misunderstanding something?

[papaguido]

BH:

My first and second retirement visas were issued here at the Udon office. Thus, I am confused regarding ur statement, "I cannot recall anyone every saying that Visas (of ANY description) are obtainable within Thailand. They are not - the same as the situation most countries."

I was surprised the first time around in early 2010. I had gone to the office for a 60 day extension to my Non "O" visa. The officer, asked me to return the following week with the retirement visa documentation and issued me a 2 week extension. I returned, the retirement visa was issued on the spot... This year, I missed my last 90 day report (by 6 weeks!). The same officer, issued me a 30 day extension to my retirement visa and had me bring in this year's documentation. Again, a new retirement visa was then issued on the spot (for 2011/12)...

I was surprised and asked if I didn't have to leave the country. She explained, that for legitimate retirees, retiement visas could be issued annually without having to leave LOS; that as long as I met the retirement visa and reporting requirements, I could remain in Thailand and just get a new retirement visa every year there at the office...

Am I misunderstanding something?

You may be confusing an extension for a visa. On your last entry in your passport, is it a stamp with the words "Extension of Stay Permitted Up To....... " or does state Non Immigrant Visa?

[papaguido]

Hi,
People have said they got their Non-Imm. "O" visa in LOS, ie BKK one person said. A non "O" visa, for LOS, cannot be issued in LOS.

I have just completely re-read this thread (not trusting to memory) & nowhere I have managed to see anyone claiming this.

I have read, in different threads, where people have claimed to have had 'Visa Exemption Stamps' or 'Tourist' Visas converted to Non Imm o visas within country at Bangkok Immigration Office. I cannot confirm or deny that this is possible as I have never personally attempted it.
I cannot recall anyone every saying that Visas (of ANY description) are obtainable within Thailand. They are not - the same as the situation most countries.
However, the Immigration Officers do have considerable discretion when dealing with customers, especially in 'grey' & infrequently occurring situations.

Bob,

it was randerson79 who converted from tourist to Non "O" in BKK. On this thread...

http://www.udonmap.com/udonthaniforum/b ... 47-45.html

[BobHelm]

Thanks Papa, that is the one.
From memory others have said that they have done it in the past, but without the clear photo evidence that randerson79 provided.

Red, I think you will find that you are getting extensions to the original Non Imm o visa that you obtained outside Thailand...that is the 'normal course of events' with retirement.

[jackspratt]

Bob, if further evidence is required, here is the form that you use to apply for a visa within Thailand. Even with its "strange" ways, I don't think Thai Immigration would have a form for something you can't do ie apply for something you can't get.

[douglas]

Hi,
Bob. tried to download your att. Unable to do. All i get is unable to download, maybe i'm doing something wrong. Even daughter could not download it. She's far better on com. than me.
Also welshwizard said he tried to get a 12 month marriage visa at Thai Imm.
Myself i was refering to N.I. "O" visas. which Thai imm say they have to be obtained outside of LOS, in a Thai Embassy or Con.Their phone number, which i used, was 042 249982-3. You can check with them.
I have a Permission to stay due to being married to a Thai National for the last three years. My first one in 2009 from N.K. office, and 2010 and 2011 from Udon Imm. NONE of them say visa on them. They all say "Application to stay permitted until", then date. All i say is for someone to show me a stamp in their P.P. stating they have a N.I. "O" visa issued in LOS for LOS, which up to now nobody has. Also someone said they got a 30 day visa at BKK airport. That is not a visa. It is a permission to stay stamp, which, when i used to use them, you could get a 21 day extention for 1900B at Imm.
Forgot to add, if anyone wants to see my passport i am willing to show it to them as proof.

[BobHelm]

Douglas,
randerson79 shows a clear picture of Non Imm o visa issued in Thailand on the thread that papaguido indicated above.

I haven't put anything to download, but jackspratt did. However in order to read the form from Jack I believe that you need Microsoft Word (or 1 of the programs that mimic Word)on your computer.

It is NOT a Visa (nor a Permission to Stay) that is issued for 30 days at the airports (or 15 days at land boarders) it is a Visa Exemption Stamp issued to the holders of certain Countries on entry to Thailand.

[fdimike]

I know this may sound like semantics but the "visa" issued at the BKK airport is called a Visa On Arrival. It is not a permission to stay nor is it a visa exemption stamp. This same kind of visa is available in Laos, Cambodia, Malaysia, & Singapore.

[lepidoptra]

I know this may sound like semantics but the "visa" issued at the BKK airport is called a Visa On Arrival.

jmp1518: The term semantics refers to the study of meaning. This is commonly used to note a bad use of word selection or connotation. Usually if this happens you need to use context clues to understand what the person is trying to communicate.

Really =D>

[Tafia]

I think there is already a thread on the conversion from 30 day exempt & tourist to Non O.
My understanding of it is this- it can be done when you have deposited the money into a Thai Bank or shown proof of funds and are seeking an extension on the basis of marriage or retirement.

Immigration will stamp you in for 90 days (cost 2000) given enough time to season any deposit and then you can seek an extension on marriage to a Thai or retirement for a further cost of 1900. (not sure all offices do this)

As we know extensions to visa exempt is x7 days and Tourist x 30 days. and only Non O can extend for a further 12 mths.

[LilRed]

I believe Mr. Helm is correct.

After havin a close look at my retirement "visas", I see that no where on them do they use the word "visa"; or "extension"... While they do not reference my original Non "O" visa, I recall the officer informing me that with a Non "O" visa and meeting other requirements, one could get "approval to stay" based on retirement or marriage... for an additional 12 months, apparently, under the Non "O" visa... She also informed me that this could be done multiple times, annually, at the Udon office without leaving the country...

Kinda looks like they are trying to legitimize (and control) residency here based on marriage or retirement, without "officially" granting it by visa... Flexibility provided for in their regulations...

One critical difference between the Udon office and the NK office: The financial requirements are money in the bank here, or, monthly income. The NK office insisted that the monthly income had to be into a Thai bank in Thailand. The Udon office just requires that one meet a minimum monthly income requirement, but does not require its deposit into a bank IN Thailand... Again, flexibility of the officer's/offices' interpretation authority...

[jackspratt]

<snipped>

One critical difference between the Udon office and the NK office: The financial requirements are money in the bank here, or, monthly income. The NK office insisted that the monthly income had to be into a Thai bank in Thailand. The Udon office just requires that one meet a minimum monthly income requirement, but does not require its deposit into a bank IN Thailand... Again, flexibility of the officer's/offices' interpretation authority...

I don't regard it as "flexibility" by the Udon staff - they are merely interpreting and applying the law correctly.

Which, if what you say above is correct, the NK staff are not. There is no requirement under the relevant law for the retirement income to be deposited into a Thai bank.

[wazza]

Interesting story but please tell what the officer being skinny and having spots to do with it. Perhaps you are just being rude which might have been the problem in the first place . :-"

If you were asked to make a complaint, based on the fact that u didnt know the name, as at the time u didnt think it necessary, then a physical description is correct, as it clearly identified the female within her own department from the NK staff.

If u had to describe that same lady, who had committed a crime and police ask u to describe her, and u said Im sorry i dont know her name ! but she looks like this, what do u think the Police would run with. Name unknown or the physical description that all people use when completing police reports ...

It appears the female has committed various offences, and if such a police report with a physical description would be enough for them to identify her at the Udon Office.

I suppose not writing down the registration number of a car at a hit an run, but describing the car colour, make, physical appearance etc, wont qualify either TB.

[trubrit]

Interesting story but please tell what the officer being skinny and having spots to do with it. Perhaps you are just being rude which might have been the problem in the first place . :-"

.

Christ what woke you up? that was last month . No doubt her acne problem has gone by now .

[Bread Man]

Did my 90 day report today, gave the first Lady my Passport and completed form and was greeted by Hello Mr. ****! First time I've been called by my name and the Lady was very polite and helpful - a real pleasure.

[lepidoptra]

Christ what woke you up? that was last month . No doubt her acne problem has gone by now .

You're quite right I saw her last week ,charming as ever and her little skin blemishes appeared to have improved greatly.
It's a shame she wasn't able to reply to the criticisms but at least she would have had the satisfaction, had she known, that the recent poll showed that the Udon office was about 4 times more popular than Nong Khai. =D>

[Tracechain]

Went in yesterday for my quarterly check-in and never got past the three little candy striper gals in the front. One of them lached onto my paperwork and the other two giggled and wiggled around me while the one with my paperwork got it stamped. Boy, I thought I was someone special until I felt a set of eyes on me at which time I said 'yes dear, it is time to leave. IMHO, I think the IMO here in Udorn is pretty darn good and friendly.

[nkstan]

Very simply put,you have to have a visa when you come here ,to convert or change it to a different type visa!You can not get a visa from 30 or 15 day entry stamp!
At the Bangkok Immigration office,there is a section for ''changing the type visa!